First off, I'm going to preface this this and say the flavors in this recipe are not at all fall tasting. BUT it's a hit at any Halloween or Thanksgiving party I've taken it to. Why? Well it's because it's freaking precious and looks like a little pumpkin right out of the pumpkin patch! Also, it never lasts to the end of the party because it's so delicious.
With tangy cream cheese and the bite of the cheddar inside, there's a little kick of fresh veggies and cayenne pepper that brings its fans back for more. The outside is rolled in crushed nacho cheese Doritos to make it orange and it's topped with a bell pepper stem to bring the illusion home. I usually serve this with crackers, pretzels, and veggies, but the sky is the limit. It only takes about 10 minutes to actually make, although it has to sit in the refrigerator for about an hour to set up before rolling it in the Doritos.
Servings: 12-18
Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
INGREDIENTS:
16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 of a small onion, minced
1/2 a medium sized tomato, diced (or 5-7 cherry tomatoes)
1 small red, orange, or yellow bell pepper, diced (but save the stem!)
1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos
DIRECTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese and the cheddar cheese with an electric hand held or stand mixer.
With the mixer speed on its slowest speed, add the onion, tomato, bell pepper, cilantro, cumin, cayenne pepper, and lime juice until everything has combined.
form the mixture into a tight ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
Place the ball in the refrigerator for one hour to set up.
Remove the ball from the fridge and make sme indents on the side so shape the cheese ball like a pumpkin.
Gently remove the plastic wrap and roll the cheese ball in the crushed Doritos until completely coated.
Press the stem of your bell pepper on top and you're done! Refrigerate until serving.
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